Volunteering evolves in CR

Organizers hope to spread the spirit of volunteerism at the 12th annual NGO Market April 29.

According to project coordinator Alena Novotná, more than 150 non-profits, 32 distinguished speakers and two local celebrities will gather at the National Technical Library in Prague 6 to encourage public involvement in NGOs and their volunteer activities in accordance with the Year of Volunteering, as the EU has declared 2011.

The all-day event, which is organized by the Forum 2000 Foundation, has been "growing every year," Novotná said. 

The NGO Market centers on an open fair with exhibits from each attending non-profit, ranging from human rights organizations to sports and leisure groups. Attendees can interact with NGO representatives and learn how to get involved, either as a volunteer, a client or a donor.

All but three of the organizations are based in the Czech Republic. In addition, an associated events program comprises several lectures, workshops and panel discussions on different aspects of the NGO sector. Speakers include non-profit founders, corporate leaders and university professors. 

Three of the 11 sessions will be held in English and all are free and open to the public. Doors to the library open at 10 a.m., but the event officially kicks off thirty minutes later with speeches and performances from this year's celebrity patrons, actor Boris Hybner and singer Tonya Graves.

A longtime proponent of volunteering, Graves has become active in several local NGOs in recent years. This is her first time as patron of the NGO Market and the singer says she is happy to assist in encouraging volunteerism among the public, no matter how small the scale.

"People always expect that if you're going to help you have to make very grand gestures," she said. "Little things help."

The NGO Market was founded in 1999 by a group of students who sought a platform to engage local volunteer organizations.

"Students wanted to create a space where NGOs could meet people and discuss important issues," Novotná said.

The inaugural event drew two dozen NGOs and was sparsely attended.  Last year's Market had 146 NGOs and approximately 1,200 guests.

According to Novotná, Czechs can be reticent about volunteering because "the heritage of forced volunteerism from Communism" left a stigma of distrust. Now, she says volunteering is on the rise, both with individuals and organizations.  

"The negative perception of volunteering is changing and more people are getting actively involved," she said.

Gordon LaForge can be reached at
features@praguepost.com